The Misty Mountains were created by the[[Valar|Vala]] [[Morgoth|Melkor]] during the [[Years of the Trees]] as ahindrance for the [[Oromë]], who would hunt his fell creatures in the far eastof [[Middle-Earth]]. They later became a deterrent for the Elves during the[[Great Journey]], causing some to turn south. The Elves that would not crossthe Misty Mountains would become the [[Nandor]].<refname=s3>{{S|Captivity}}</ref>

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The Misty Mountains were created by the [[Valar|Vala]] [[Morgoth|Melkor]] during the [[Years of the Trees]] as a hindrance for the [[Oromë]], who would hunt his fell creatures in the far east of [[Middle-Earth]]. They later became a deterrent for the Elves during the [[Great Journey]], causing some to turn south. The Elves that would not cross the Misty Mountains would become the [[Nandor]].<refname=s3>{{S|Captivity}}</ref>

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The great Dwarven city of [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]] (later called the "Black Pit" of [[Moria]]) was located near the middle of the mountain chain. There [[Durin's folk]] lived for thousands of years with a kingdom which spread as far as Gundabad and as far east as the [[Iron Hills]].

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It is said that ancient [[bears]] livedin the Mountains until [[Giants]] arrived and the bears left to the lowlands.<refname=queer>{{H|Queer}}</ref>

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When the Dwarves were strong, the mountains were generally free of Orcs, but when the [[Shadow]] was strong, Orcs bred in Mount Gundabad, in [[Goblin-town]], later in Moria itself, and everywhere in between. In {{TA|1300}} the [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]]started increasing and harassing the [[Dwarves]].<refname=b2>{{App|B2}}</ref>

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The awakening of [[Durin's Bane]] drove the Dwarves from their city. It also seems that some Dwarves, either before or after the [[War of the Dwarves and Orcs]], dwelt on the eastern side of the mountains near Goblin-town.

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The great Dwarven city of[[Moria|Khazad-dûm]] (later called the "Black Pit" of [[Moria]]) waslocated near the middle of the mountain chain. There [[Durin's folk]] lived forthousands of years with a kingdom which spread as far as Gundabad and as fareast as the [[Iron Hills]].

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Around {{TA|1050|n}}, the [[Harfoots]] migrated west across the Misty Mountains, fleeing the ever more numerous Men and the Shadow growing in [[Mirkwood]], thus the [[Hobbits]] entered history. Later the other two groups of Hobbits, the [[Stoors]] and [[Fallohides]], migrated west as well, until by 2500 no Hobbits could be found east of the mountains.

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In {{TA|2480}} the Orcs began establishing secret strongholds in the Mountains barring all the passes to[[Eriador]] from [[Rhovanion]], while Sauron populated Moria with his creatures.<ref name=b2/>

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When the Dwarves were strong, themountains were generally free of Orcs, but when the [[Shadow]] was strong, Orcsbred in Mount Gundabad, in [[Goblin-town]], later in Moria itself, andeverywhere in between. In {{TA|1300}} the [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]]started increasing and harassing the [[Dwarves]].<refname=b2>{{App|B2}}</ref>

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Near the east exit of Goblin-town the Eagles kept an [[Eagle's Eyrie|eyrie]] to keep watch on the Orcs.<refname=council>{{FR|Council}}</ref><ref>{{FR|South}}</ref>

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At the southern tip of the Misty Mountains, beneath Methedras, was [[Isengard]], which was originally a [[Gondor|Gondorian]] fortress but was later given to [[Saruman]].

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The awakening of [[Durin's Bane]] drovethe Dwarves from their city. It also seems that some Dwarves, either before orafter the [[War of the Dwarves and Orcs]], dwelt on the eastern side of themountains near Goblin-town.

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Apart from dwarves, halflings, and orcs, Beron's people also lived in the Misty Mountains. Even though the mountains were their home, they migrated away from them, when the [[Giants]] arrived and the bears left to the lowlands.<refname=queer>{{H|Queer}}</ref>. [[Gandalf]] believed that it was the [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]] that had driven the people of [[Beorn]] away, and he promised to return there.<ref name=queer/> Beorn's people returned to the Mountains. Once the Orcs were defeated in the [[Battle of Five Armies]], the[[Beornings]] kept open the passages of the [[Ford of Carrock]] and the [[HighPass]] in return for tolls.<ref name=council/>

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[[Thorin and Company]] used the High Pass to cross the Misty Mountains, and witnessed the mysterious [[Giants]]. Later they were captured by the Orcs of Goblin-town.<ref>{{H|Hill}}</ref>

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Around {{TA|1050|n}}, the [[Harfoots]]migrated west across the Misty Mountains, fleeing the ever more numerous Menand the Shadow growing in [[Mirkwood]], thus the [[Hobbits]] entered history.Later the other two groups of Hobbits, the [[Stoors]] and [[Fallohides]], migratedwest as well, until by 2500 no Hobbits could be found east of the mountains.

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The [[Fellowship of the Ring]] faced the challenge to pass the Mountains. They decided to avoid the High Pass or the Gap of Rohan because of the threat of Orc patrols and Saruman's forces. They attempted to cross Redhorn Pass, but a powerful blizzard blocked it, forcing them to journey through Moria. There [[Gandalf]] was lost trying to stop Durin's Bane, and after falling into the abyss, he chased him up to the Dwarven [[Endless Stair]] and [[Battle of the Peak|fought on the peak]] of Silvertine.<ref>{{TT|White}}</ref>

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It is said that in the [[Fourth Age]][[Durin VII]] led the Dwarves back to Moria.<ref>{{App|Durin}}</ref>

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In {{TA|2480}} the Orcs beganestablishing secret strongholds in the Mountains barring all the passes to[[Eriador]] from [[Rhovanion]], while Sauron populated Moria with hiscreatures.<ref name=b2/>

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+

−

+

−

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Near the east exit of Goblin-town theEagles kept an [[Eagle's Eyrie|eyrie]] to keep watch on the Orcs.<refname=council>{{FR|Council}}</ref><ref>{{FR|South}}</ref>

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+

−

+

−

+

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At the southern tip of the MistyMountains, beneath Methedras, was [[Isengard]], which was originally a[[Gondor|Gondorian]] fortress but was later given to [[Saruman]].

+

−

+

−

+

−

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[[Gandalf]] believed that it was the[[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]] that had driven the people of [[Beorn]] away,and he promised to return there.<ref name=queer/>

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Beorn's people returned to theMountains. Once the Orcs were defeated in the [[Battle of Five Armies]], the[[Beornings]] kept open the passages of the [[Ford of Carrock]] and the [[HighPass]] in return for tolls.<ref name=council/>

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−

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[[Thorin and Company]] used the HighPass to cross the Misty Mountains, and witnessed the mysterious [[Giants]].Later they were captured by the Orcs ofGoblin-town.<ref>{{H|Hill}}</ref>

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+

−

+

−

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The [[Fellowship of the Ring]] faced thechallenge to pass the Mountains. They decided to avoid the High Pass or the Gapof Rohan because of the threat of Orc patrols and Saruman's forces. They attemptedto cross Redhorn Pass, but a powerful blizzard blocked it, forcing them tojourney through Moria. There [[Gandalf]] was lost trying to stop Durin's Bane,and after falling into the abyss, he chased him up to the Dwarven [[EndlessStair]] and [[Battle of the Peak|fought on the peak]] ofSilvertine.<ref>{{TT|White}}</ref>

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It is said that in the [[Fourth Age]][[Durin VII]] led the Dwarves back toMoria.<ref>{{App|Durin}}</ref>

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==Portrayal in adaptations==

==Portrayal in adaptations==

Revision as of 23:52, 9 August 2018

'"How came you by it?" — Thorin
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Misty Mountains

Mountain range

"The Misty Mountains looking West from the Eyrie towards Goblin Gate" by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Misty Mountains, Mountains of Mist or Towers of Mist[1] (Hithaeglir in Sindarin[note 1] as a plural) was a great mountain range that lay between Eriador in the west and the Great River Anduin in the east.

The lands around the Misty Mountains included several forests, rivers and other populated areas. Such realms under the Mountains had been Angmar, Eregion, Dunland, Lothlórien, Fangorn and others.[2] While Elves guarded both sides of the Misty Mountains, few ever crossed them.

The great Dwarven city of Khazad-dûm (later called the "Black Pit" of Moria) was located near the middle of the mountain chain. There Durin's folk lived for thousands of years with a kingdom which spread as far as Gundabad and as far east as the Iron Hills.

The awakening of Durin's Bane drove the Dwarves from their city. It also seems that some Dwarves, either before or after the War of the Dwarves and Orcs, dwelt on the eastern side of the mountains near Goblin-town.

Around 1050, the Harfoots migrated west across the Misty Mountains, fleeing the ever more numerous Men and the Shadow growing in Mirkwood, thus the Hobbits entered history. Later the other two groups of Hobbits, the Stoors and Fallohides, migrated west as well, until by 2500 no Hobbits could be found east of the mountains.

In T.A.2480 the Orcs began establishing secret strongholds in the Mountains barring all the passes toEriador from Rhovanion, while Sauron populated Moria with his creatures.[4]

Thorin and Company used the High Pass to cross the Misty Mountains, and witnessed the mysterious Giants. Later they were captured by the Orcs of Goblin-town.[8]

The Fellowship of the Ring faced the challenge to pass the Mountains. They decided to avoid the High Pass or the Gap of Rohan because of the threat of Orc patrols and Saruman's forces. They attempted to cross Redhorn Pass, but a powerful blizzard blocked it, forcing them to journey through Moria. There Gandalf was lost trying to stop Durin's Bane, and after falling into the abyss, he chased him up to the Dwarven Endless Stair and fought on the peak of Silvertine.[9]

Portrayal in adaptations

Misty Mountains appear as both a major game region and within other game areas. The region of "Misty Mountains" consists of the part of the mountain range adjacent to Rivendell Valley, including both High Pass and Goblin-town. The mountain range in a broader sense can also be accessed from other in-game regions, including the pass Caradhras in Eregion, former settlement of Dwarves under Thrór in eastern Enedwaith, a village on the slopes of mount Methedras in Dunland, the cliffs of Zirakzigil in Moria and the eastern slopes of the Mountains in Lothlórien.

Notes

↑Karen Wynn Fonstad estimates in the The Atlas of Middle-earth that some of the peaks may have been as high as 12,000 feet (3,660 meters), comparable to the Alps in Europe. Tolkien had visited the Alps in his youth and was greatly impressed by them.

References

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